So you opened Snapchat today and noticed your friend's score jumped by 500 points overnight. Meanwhile, yours crawled up by like... 12. What's the deal? I remember obsessing over this back in college when Snapchat was new. My roommate Sarah had this insane 200k score while mine barely moved. Turns out she was sending 50+ snaps daily to her sorority sisters. That's when I realized what makes snap score go up isn't magic - it's grind.
Your Snapchat score is that mysterious number under your profile pic (visible only to you unless you screenshot and share it). When I asked my 16-year-old cousin why she cares, she rolled her eyes: "It's proof you're not a bot?" Honestly? The score doesn't unlock special features or make you Snap-famous. But if you're like most people, you still wanna see that number climb.
The Real Mechanics Behind Snap Score Increases
Snapchat's never released their exact algorithm (typical tech companies, right?). But after testing for weeks and comparing notes with heavy users, here's what makes snap score go up for real:
Core Activities That Boost Your Score
Activity | Points Earned | My Personal Test Results |
---|---|---|
Sending a photo snap (to 1 person) | 1 point | Sent 20 snaps → +20 points consistently |
Sending a video snap (to 1 person) | 1 point | 10-second clip = same as photo snap |
Sending to group chats | 1 point per recipient | Sent to 8-person group → +8 points |
Posting to public Story | 1 point | Regardless of view count |
Posting to private Story | 1 point | Same as public Story |
Opening received snaps | 0 points | Tested with 30 unopened snaps |
Pro tip: Snap streaks (daily snap exchanges) don't give bonus points themselves. But since you're sending daily snaps, they indirectly make snap score go up through volume.
🚀 Score Hack: Send snaps to groups instead of individuals. One snap to a 20-person group = 20 points instantly. My record is 150 points from one gym selfie blasted to all my contacts (sorry not sorry).
What Absolutely Doesn't Affect Your Score
Myth | Reality Check | How I Tested |
---|---|---|
Viewing Stories | Zero impact | Watched 100+ stories → no change |
Text chats | No points | Messaged friend for 1 hour → score frozen |
Discover page views | No effect | Binged 30 mins of celeb stories → nada |
Saving chats | Irrelevant | Saved 50 chats → score didn't budge |
Snap trophies | Separate system | Earned 3 trophies → score unchanged |
Ugh, remember when people said screenshotting snaps gave points? Total lie. I screenshot like a creep for science - zero movement. And no, adding filters/lenses doesn't give bonus points either. Disappointing huh?
Why Your Score Isn't Moving (And How To Fix It)
Last month, my score plateaued for 5 days straight. Panicked? Maybe. Here's what causes stagnation:
- Passive scrolling: If you're only watching Stories, you're Netflixing Snapchat - not participating.
- Low-output streaks: That 1000-day streak with your BFF? If you both send blank black snaps daily, you'll earn points but at turtle speed.
- Technical glitches: Twice this year, my sent snaps didn't register points until app restart.
To actually make your snap score go up consistently:
- Batch sending: Create snaps once, send to multiple friends individually (not group chat). Takes 3 mins, earns 30+ points.
- Story double-dip: Post to both My Story and Close Friends. That's 2 points for one snap.
- Engagement triggers: Send snaps asking questions. Recipients often reply with snaps, not chats.
⚠️ Don't try this: Third-party "snap boosters" promising 10k points overnight. My friend Jake got locked out for 48 hours using one. Snapchat detects abnormal activity patterns.
Snap Score Psychology: Why We Care
Confession: I used to refresh my profile hourly during finals week. Why? Psychologically, the score is a dopamine meter:
- High scorers = perceived social activity (even if you're just spamming dog filters)
- It's publicly visible unlike Instagram likes
- Creates friendly competition (my coworker Dan and I have a 50k-point rivalry)
But honestly? My Snapchat score peaked when I was unemployed and lonely. Now with actual hobbies, I barely notice it. Funny how that works.
Your Burning Snap Score Questions Answered
Q: Why did my score jump 200 points overnight without me snapping?
A: This happened to me last Tuesday! Most likely delayed point calculation from earlier snaps. Servers catch up overnight.
Q: Do snaps to inactive accounts count?
A: Tragically yes - I wasted 38 points sending birthday snaps to my cousin's dead account last month.
Q: How often does the score update?
A: Near real-time when sending, but receiving points update in batches every 1-3 hours. Refresh your profile to see updates.
Q: Can high scores get you verified?
A: Nope. Snapchat's verification is based on notability, not activity. Trust me - my 85k score hasn't gotten me that cute emoji.
Q: Why do some people have millions of points?
A: Consistency over years. My friend Maria (1.2M score) has sent 100+ daily snaps since 2014. Obsessive? Maybe. Impressive? Definitely.
The Unspoken Truth About Snap Scores
Here's what nobody admits: chasing high scores can ruin Snapchat's fun. I deleted chats to "clean up" my profile thinking it'd help (it doesn't). My advice? Use Snapchat authentically. Send dumb memes to real friends. Post embarrassing Stories. The score will grow naturally when you stop obsessing over what makes snap score go up.
That said... if you still wanna boost it? Set daily reminders to send snaps to 5 contacts. Do it while brushing your teeth. You'll gain 500+ weekly points without thinking. But seriously - go touch grass sometimes. Your Snap score won't hug you at night.
Snap Score Growth Timeline
Activity Level | Daily Points | Monthly Gain | Realistic Scenario |
---|---|---|---|
Casual User | 5-15 pts | 150-450 | Sends 3-5 snaps, posts occasional Story |
Active User | 30-50 pts | 900-1500 | Has 3 streaks, posts Stories 3x/week |
Power User | 100+ pts | 3000+ | Sends 50+ snaps daily, always posts Stories |
Final reality check: Going from 0 to 50k takes 1-2 years of regular use. Viral growth? Doesn't exist. But hey - now you know exactly what makes snap score go up. Use this power wisely.
Leave a Message